chagzuki

Or 'project x'?

New frame material?

Electric motor?

Telescopic handlebar stem?

Amuro Lee

I have no idea.



Hi,

Thanks for signing up for our special updates. Over the coming year there are some exciting new developments planned at Brompton HQ and we would like to involve you in one in particular.

Without wishing to go too James Bond, let’s call it ‘Project X’. As you have expressed an interest in this, we plan on giving monthly updates on progress and sneak previews of Project X up until the launch.

In this initial communication, rather than giving information about the product, we would first like to introduce you to the man behind it.



This is Will, he is head of design at Brompton Bicycle. Having joined the company seven years ago he has been involved in a number of key changes, including, but not limited to: the development and introduction of the Superlight package, two handlebar types (S and P) and improvement and expansion of the front luggage range.

Will oversees a team of four designers who, along with Andrew Ritchie, work together to implement improvements to the Brompton. This covers many areas including reducing the weight of the bike and components, increasing the longevity of the product and improving the performance of the bike.

Normally one to speak his mind on a variety of subjects, Will is always very coy about new developments. All he has to say on Project X for now is:

“Progress is going well, we are still in the development stage but each prototype continues to get better and better. What I’m most looking forward to is getting out of the workshop and doing some real world testing in the coming months”.

As soon as Will feels we are in a position to announce more, you will be the first to know.


Kind regards,

An excited Brompton team

chagzuki

A Taiwan-built frame? Hoho.

Suspension fork? Nah.

chagzuki

A smaller-wheeled version? Larger-wheeled version? Nah.

LittlePixel

It should be: 1) Nice aero-section rims 2) Sporty rather than agricultural-looking shifters and brake levers 3) Aberhallo stem 4) Black mudguards (and a rear that actually fits without deforming the curve of it) 5) V-brakes or Discs.

Most or all of those would really revitalise the range. I doubt it's alloy hydroformed frames (they are too invested in brazing skills) but it could always be titanium?
They really need to do something about the 'M' bars. If one single thing would make the bikes look more 'normal' and appeal to more people it would be bars that look more like normal hybrid bars instead of a TNT plunger or bent coat-hanger.

I await the announcement with interest. With a name like Project X it'd better be good. ie not just a new seatpost clamp.

Carcinogent

I was just thinking of starting such a thread myself=)

I am thinking and really hoping for a full titanium frame. That should shave 1kg+ easily. Some bike shops (here in The Netherlands at least) do the telescopic handlebar conversion so it is not really new and groundbreaking or bike changing experience imo. There are the 3 handlebar options that suit most people, even tall riders. Also maybe a front suspension hub, although there is the Pantour. Another thing I would like to see is needle bearings in the rear hinge so that the need for the 200+ GBP tool to have the hinge serviced is eliminated.

As LittlePixel said it better be smt significant, not a new front bag.

-Carcinogent

wandt

Rohloff hub scaled down to fit the Brompton frame.

chagzuki

I don't see what could be revolutionary rather than evolutionary enough to warrant this type of marketing build up. I'm guessing it's a Brompton branded electric motor system.

tcs

Hydroformed aluminum frame with innovative geometry, internal cable routing, ISO406mm wheels, telescoping seatpost & handlepost, trick gearing with choice of 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 or 8 speeds. Weighs no more than the current model & it's no bigger when folded.

Top secret spy shot, shown here with alternate decals to disguise it.

themothman421

haha

very clever disguise indeed.

whatever it is, it's got me holding off on purchasing a current brompton in anticipation for some completely new model, which also gives me time to save up for its presumably higher price!

chagzuki

A fried of mine was just about to place an order and now I don't know if it's wise to advise them to hold off.

mconlonx

They bought out the rights to the Curl from Dahon?

bendembroski

My vote: Belt Drive.

MichaelW

Can you do a folding chain thing with a belt drive?

bendembroski

Oh, it wouldn't work with the current design. But a belt - specific design would certainly warrant all the brompto-hype.

BassNotBass

I would hope that belt drive and disc brakes were part of the secret.

Carcinogent

I will be first in line for the conversion pieces when they become available from Sjscycles. I go through chains on my Brompton like no other. With the small wheels everything gets in the chain so easily. Although belt drive will not work with a derailleur....

-Carcinogent

fietsbob

Having the j bend where the wheels are attached bend further, so wheels start to splay
from folding for parking on them ..
I'd like to have that area gusseted, to prevent that.
the plate that the suspension rubber is bolted to could be good place to start.

A dual shift lever on one side of the bar for the 2 by 3 speed?
twist grip sequence ratios in a linear progression.?

offering a made for Brompton Sturmey 8 speed? 1:1 external sprockets.
[or a modified Alfine 11]
possible to climb most any hill with a 17" 'unicycle' gear..

BassNotBass

A freewheeling rear hub and CVT in the bottom bracket would be a pretty cool innovation.

themothman421

A belt-drive Brompton would be...so sweet...

chagzuki

I guess it could be a derailleur system.

ratdog

It must be an optical illusion, but the wheels in that picture look like they are larger than 16" wheels based on the size of the designer's body. Does anyone else think so also?

cityjim

Frame upgrade would be good - new snap shut clamps.
Maybe rear suspension - gas spring damper.
How about new wheels - I for one would welcome a cooler set of wheels- although I still want kevlar as I cycle through war torn London every day
My own crazy idea - red LEDs mounted in the seat tube with a battery pack under the seat.
Maybe they have teamed up with Dyson and instead of the eazy wheels you will be able to get a big yellow ball :-)

cityjim

Maybe they've teamed up with Planet X and will release a carbon folder!

gringo_gus

tandem